Warning issued about cyber threat from ransomware

BUSINESSES in the south are being warned about a new type of ransomware that uses a spam email disguised as an invoice to lock data and paralyse companies.

Hampshire IT firm Aura is warning organisations to be on their guard for a new strain of ‘Locky’ malware, which is being used by cyber criminals to hold businesses to ransom to decrypt files.

Aura’s warning comes as it has launched a practical guide to protect businesses in the south from ransomware attacks. The free downloadable e-book The Business Guide to Ransomware outlines the most common ransomware threats and details practical steps businesses can take to reduce the risk of an attack.

Ransomware has become the most popular form of malware used in cyber-attacks, making up almost 40 per cent of breaches, coinciding with a six-fold increase in the number of emails infected by ransom softwares over the past two years.